It began in Tunisia, spread to Egypt and now it has engulfed almost the entire Arab world. Various discussions were held in the city to understand what it means for the Muslim world
It began in Tunisia, spread to Egypt and now it has engulfed almost the entire Arab world. Various discussions were held in the city to understand what it means for the Muslim world
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What started as an uprising, soon turned into a revolution. The public unrest, which first began in Tunisia, had a domino effect, covering Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria, Libya and Bahrain. How will a revolution in the Arab world affect India, which has the second largest population of Muslims in the world after Indonesia?
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Will it help to change the perception about Indian Muslims? Will it have any impact on them? In Mumbai, scholars and political activists organised debates to discuss the revolution in the Arab world and its possible impact on the Indian Muslim community.
One such public meeting was organised at the Marathi Patrakar Sangha on February 14 in Fort to welcome and felicitate the first Indian delegation of the Asian caravan to Gaza-Palestine, they call themselves the satyagrahis and to express solidarity with the popular revolution of the Egyptian and Arab masses against dictators and monarchies. The first Asian Caravan to Gaza had participants who went to Gaza through Egypt.
u00a0Niloufer Bhagwat, an advocate and member of the Brussels Tribunal, an international anti-war group, said during the meeting, "What we saw in Egypt was participatory democracy and the Egyptian revolution will impact the functioning of existing democracies all over the world."
The meeting also saw Kishore Jagtap, founder and advisor of Vidyarthi Bharati, a students' union organisation; Brigadier Sudhir Sawant, Shiv Rajya Party president; Yusuf Muchala, senior advocate and Firoz Mithiborwala, founder of the first Asian Caravan to Gaza, sharing their thoughts on the uprising in the Arab world.
Against Discrimination
Mahmud Dariyabadi, Secretary General, All India Ulema Council, believes the revolution, which saw Egyptian Muslims and Christians fighting shoulder to shoulder against 30 years of oppression and autocracy, will give minorities, including the Indian Muslims, courage and determination to fight against discrimination.
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"Our constitution is secular. But in reality how much right is given to the minorities is a different thing. However, this revolution has showed us that irrespective of one's religion or caste, people can come together and fight against discrimination and oppression,"claimed Dariyabadi, in a telephonic interview. Many believe that this revolution might help to change the perception about Muslim society.
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Said Dr. Zeenat Shaukat Ali, professor of Islamic studies at Mumbai's St Xavier's College, "For the Muslim world, it is going to explode the bogey of Muslim extremism and fundamentalism. The world thinks that Islam doesn't think of democracy that's not true.
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They are saying that we want democracy."u00a0 Participants in the public meeting felt the revolution would also help dispel the myth about Muslims that they are violent. Ali's conclusion was that the world might change its opinion about Muslims being violent, "Muslims are perceived to be violent.
But here was a very peaceful, non-violent revolution. The stereotypical image about the Muslim community has been shattered."
Mithiborwala, makes similar claims, "It has buried Islamophobia and the notion that Islam and democracy cannot go hand in hand." The revolution, which has so far toppled two governments, i.e. Tunisia and Egypt, has now engulfed Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Algeria.
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Bhagwat rightly hails it as an 'Arab revolution'. Explaining the importance of the revolution in India, Bhagwat said, "We are separated from the Arab world by just the Arabian sea. Moreover, we have had deep historical connections with the Arab world. People will now think twice before passing such sweeping statements that Islam and democracy can never go together."
The revolution will have a modernising impact on the Muslims. "Watching events unfold in Egypt in this manner, henceforth they will actively participate in political movements and articulate their demands," added Bhagwat.
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Scholars claim the peaceful ongoing political movement in the Arab world will break stereotypes. "False notions propagated that Muslims do not want to get educated and they are backward will all change. So in a way, it has taken a lot of burden off their backs," explained Ali.
Future
Since Hosni Mubarak's departure, the Western world has been wondering what might be in store for Egypt and other Arab countries? They fear that extremist elements could come to power like they did in Iran following the 1979 revolution.
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Some in the West seem to suggest the Arab world could follow the Turkish model, where the right-wing Islamist parties were allowed to come to power, because they adapted to the country's secular ethos. This is one question, which has bothered Indian Muslims too.
Nizam Khan (25), finance professional from Thane has a word of caution. "It is too early to talk about democracy in the Muslim world. There is a possibility that Islamist parties might take over in Egypt and then the country will in fact turn into an Islamic state.
Only, if there are proper elections held, can we then say that the Muslim world is shifting toward democracy," said Khan who has been following the events in the Arab word closely. However, he believes that participation of youth in the revolution might work as a bulwark against Islamists coming to power.
Sajid Khan (42) a businessman from Mira Road, believes that the possibility of Egypt turning into an Islamic state is far-fetched. "I can safely say that democracy has finally arrived," claims Sajid.
Egypt and India
Bhagwat drew parallels between the Egyptian revolution and Gandhiji's non-violent struggle to suggest that the Arab world would embrace democracy. Pooja Badekar (22) from Thane, who was part of the Gaza-bound caravan, recalls an interesting incident during her visit to Gaza, via Egypt, "Many of us were told by the Egyptian authorities that we would not be allowed to go to Gaza.
We were adamant to reach our destination. Hence we sat quietly at the airport with our charkhas (spinning wheels) and refused to leave the spot unless granted permission. This went on for seven hours. Ultimately, the Egyptian authorities had to allow us and we managed to reach Gaza through Egypt." 
Palestinian students shout slogans during a protest against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Gaza
Muslim Brotherhood
Egypt's revolution has been hailed as the People's Revolution but the possibility of Egypt turning into an Islamic state cannot be ruled out completely. But Daryabadi doesn't think that's possible.
Says he, "The Muslim Brotherhood has made it extremely clear that they are not interested in governing Egypt." In India, quasi-religious organisations, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, which has a substantial following in the country, is said to have been influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood.
They welcome the demise of repressive regimes but do they seek democracy or Islamic rule? "We are for Islamic democracy," says Nazar Mohammed, President, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Ask Aslam Gazi, spokesman for the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maharashtra, about the Islamic way of life that the party preaches, he said, "We have always emphasised the Islamic code of conduct, and we will continue doing that. The Muslim Brotherhood will not embolden or dilute our motives in any which way."
Indian Islamic parties seem eager that the revolution brings justice to the Palestinian people. Talking about the Egyptian revolution, Gazi said that the revolution in Egypt would end in the victory for the Palestinian people against Israel.
Urging Indians to participate in the 'larger revolution', Bhagwat said, "Even we have to do something for the people of Gaza." Firoz Mithiborwala proclaimed, "Egypt has always been the political centre of the Arab world. On March 11, people of Egypt will be marching toward Gaza."
Other View
The optimism of Muslim scholars is not universally shared. Dr Sudha Mohan, associate professor, Department of Politics, University of Mumbai, believes changes in perception will not happen overnight, "Our attitude towards our Muslim brothers and sisters will only change if there is little bit of introspection and reflection on our part. Our society is built on secular values and the direct implications of the revolution on Indian Muslims cannot be put that simply."
Events
The Indian government said it is keeping a close watch on the situation in violence-hit Libya. "The situation is being closely-monitored by the External Affairs Ministry and we are in constant touch with the Ambassador there. I am happy to inform that all Indians are safe in Libya," said External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
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The Minister said the mission in Libya was in constant touch with Indian citizens there and "whatever needs to be done, will be done." Libya is witnessing a volatile situation in the wake of unprecedented revolt against the 41-year rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
EGYPT: Mubarak's 30-year-reign over the Arab world's most populous country came to an end after 18 days of nationwide protests. At least 365 people died in the protests that erupted on January 25, Human Rights Watch said. At least 5,500 were wounded and scores detained.
BAHRAIN:u00a0Bahrain's King Hamad ordered the release of Shiite prisoners and halted the trial of others, the state news agency reported, saying the monarch was answering calls to free prisoners.
The king has "ordered the release of a number of convicted people, and stopping trial proceedings against those people mentioned in the statement" released on Sunday at a pro-government rally which urged the monarch to free prisoners of conscience.
Releasing political prisoners is one of the Shiite-led opposition's conditions for accepting a government offer for dialogue as anti-regime protesters continue to camp out in Manama's central Pearl Square.
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